SUCCESS!

At Last

Before EDM’s pulsing rhythms and jarring drops, before Jay Z had 99 problems, even before anything smelled like teen spirit, there was Leonard Chess. The founder of Chicago’s Chess Records made stars of Etta James, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, and others, essentially laying the groundwork for the diverse landscape of popular music that fills our ears today. His influence not only earned him a place in music history but also landed him a feature film in 2008 starring big names like Mos Def, Adrien Brody, and Beyoncé Knowles. Cadillac Records tells the story of Chess Records, from its opening in 1950 through its deals with the likes of James and Berry. You can catch the film this Tuesday at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (6161 NW 22nd Ave., Miami) as part of the Miami Jazz & Film Society’s July movie series. Tue., July 8, 6:15 p.m., 2014

Ciara LaVelle is New Times' arts and culture editor. She earned her BS in journalism at Boston University and moved to Florida in 2004. She joined New Times' staff in 2011 and left the paper in 2014, but two years and two babies later, returned.